Elastically Deformable Bite Fork Stabilizer and Associated Methods

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for stabilizing a bite fork in a patient&#39;s mouth. The apparatus may include an elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer. The elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer may include an elastically deformable layer, an adhesive layer on one side of the elastically deformable layer, and a removable layer adhered to the adhesive layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/351,359, entitled “Elastically Deformable Bite Fork Stabilizer andAssociated Methods,” filed on Mar. 12, 2019, which claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/644,433, filed Jul. 7, 2017, whichclaims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/693,575, filedJan. 26, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/182,169, filed on May 29, 2009, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to the field of dental instruments and, moreparticularly, in one or more embodiments, to elastically deformable bitefork stabilizers and associated methods.

The process used to relate the maxillary teeth as they exist in thepatient to a mechanical jaw simulator includes the use of a bite fork. Abite fork generally provides a platform which allows an impressionablematerial to record the upper position of the teeth as they relate to thecranial base. In general, a bite fork may be, for example, a plate ortray in the general shape of a row of teeth. The bite fork generallyincludes an impressionable material that can be used to take animpression of a patient's teeth. In operation, the bite fork may beplaced into a patient's mouth. After placement, the patient isinstructed to bite down onto the bite fork such that an impression ofthe patient's teeth is formed in the impressionable material. To recordan accurate relationship of the patient's teeth to the cranial base thatcan be transferred to the jaw simulator, the bite fork must remainstabile when the patient is biting down. However, there is currently noeasy or effective way to stabilize the bite fork in the patient's mouth.

Thus, there is a need for apparatus and methods that can stabilize thebite fork in the patient's mouth.

SUMMARY

This invention relates to the field of dental instruments and, moreparticularly, in one or more embodiments, to elastically deformable bitefork stabilizers and associated methods.

An embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus forstabilizing a bite fork in a patient's mouth. The apparatus may comprisean elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer. The elasticallydeformable bite fork stabilizer may comprise an elastically deformablelayer, an adhesive layer on one side of the elastically deformablelayer, and a removable layer adhered to the adhesive layer.

An embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for use inrecording a maxillary-arch relationship of a patient's teeth. Theapparatus may comprise a bite fork and an elastically deformable bitefork stabilizer coupled to a bottom surface of the bite fork. Theelastically deformable bite fork stabilizer may comprise an elasticallydeformable layer and an adhesive layer disposed between the elasticallydeformable layer and the bite fork.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method ofstabilizing a bite fork. The method may comprise coupling an elasticallydeformable bite fork stabilizer to a bottom surface of the bite fork.The elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer may comprise anelastically deformable layer and an adhesive layer on one side of theelastically deformable layer. The method further may comprise placingthe bite fork into a mouth.

The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. While numerous changes or modifications may bemade by those skilled in the art, such changes and modifications arewithin the spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These drawings illustrate certain aspects of the present invention andshould not be used to limit or define the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view that illustrates an elastically deformable bitefork stabilizer in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view that illustrates an elastically deformable bitefork stabilizer in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an alternate configuration of anelastically deformable bite fork stabilizer in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating another alternate configuration of anelastically deformable bite fork stabilizer in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating another alternate configuration of anelastically deformable bite fork stabilizer in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating another alternate configuration of anelastically deformable bite fork stabilizer in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating another alternate configuration of anelastically deformable bite fork stabilizer in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating a bite fork in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view illustrating an elastically deformable bite forkstabilizer coupled to a bite fork in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating an elastically deformable bite forkstabilizer coupled to a bite fork in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention,

FIG. 11 is a close-up view illustrating an elastically deformable bitefork stabilizer coupled to a bite fork in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an alternate configuration of a bite forkin accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating another alternate configuration of a bitefork in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating use of two or more elastically deformablebite fork stabilizers in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating stacking of two or more elasticallydeformable bite fork stabilizers in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 16-17 are views illustrating a dental impression pad in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a top view illustrating use of two or more dental impressionpads on a bite fork in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating removal of one or more portions of anelastically deformable bite fork stabilizer in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating use of a bite fork to record a patient'smaxillary-arch relationship in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating use of a bite fork to transfer therecorded maxillary-arch relationship to a mechanical jaw simulator inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention relates to the field of dental instruments and, moreparticularly, in one or more embodiments, to elastically deformable bitefork stabilizers and associated methods. There may be several potentialadvantages to the methods and apparatus of the present invention, onlysome of which may be alluded to herein. One of the many potentialadvantages of the methods and apparatus of the present invention is thata bite fork may be stabilized in a patient's mouth. In accordance withembodiments of the present invention, stabilization of the bite fork inthe patient's mouth should allow for a more accurate relationship of thepatient's teeth to the cranial base, thus allowing replication of thepatient's particular situation to a jaw simulator.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an elastically deformable bite forkstabilizer 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated. In general, the bite fork stabilizer 10 may be placed ona bottom side of a bite fork to hold a patient's teeth against the bitefork. As illustrated, the bite fork stabilizer 10 may include anelastically deformable layer 12, an adhesive layer 14 on one side of theelastically deformable layer 12, and a removable protective layer 16 onthe opposite of the adhesive layer 14 from the elastically deformablelayer 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the bite fork stabilizer 10 isgenerally u-shaped having a first leg 18 and a second leg 20. As will bediscussed in more detail below, embodiments of the present invention mayinclude removing the removable protective layer 16 from the bite forkstabilizer 10 and attaching the bite fork stabilizer 10 to a bottom sideof a bite fork. The adhesive layer 14 generally may adhere the bite forkstabilizer 10 to the bite fork.

While the bite fork stabilizer 10 of FIGS. 1-2 is illustrated as havinga generally u-shaped pattern, it should be understood that the bite forkstabilizer 10 may have a variety of different shapes in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 3-7 illustrate a bite forkstabilizer 10 having a variety of different shapes that may be suitablefor use in present embodiments. For example, the bite fork stabilizer 10may be configured in straight strips (FIG. 3), squares (FIG. 4),triangles (FIG. 5), circles (FIG. 6), elliptical sections (FIG. 7), or avariety of other patterns. It should be understood that the bite forkstabilizer 10 of the embodiments of FIGS. 3-7 may generally comprise anelastically deformable layer 12, an adhesive layer 14 on one side of theelastically deformable layer, and a removable protective layer 16 on theopposite of the adhesive layer 14 from the elastically deformable layer12. It should be further understood that depending on the shape of theelastically deformable layer 12 more than one bite fork stabilizer 10may be used for a particular application. For example, as discussed inmore detail below with respect to FIGS. 14-15, two or more bite forkstabilizers 10 in the shape of strips, squares, triangles, circles,and/or elliptical sections may be applied to a bite fork in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention. In certain embodiments (FIG.15), two or more bite fork stabilizers 10 may be stacked on a bite fork,for example, with the adhesive layer 14 of one of the stabilizers 10coupled to the elastically deformable layer 12 of another of thestabilizers 10. In alternative embodiments (FIG. 14), two or more bitefork stabilizers 10 may be spaced around the bottom surface of the bitefork.

The elastically deformable layer 12 is generally referred to herein as“elastically deformable” because deformation from the stress of apatient's bite is recoverable after the stress is removed. In otherwords, the elastically deformable layer 12 should not permanently deformfrom the stress of a patient's bite. The elastically deformable layer 12may include any of a variety of elastically deformable materials,including, for example, foams. Examples of suitable foams include bothopen-cellular and closed-cellular foams. In one embodiment, theelastically deformable layer includes a polyethylene foam, such as acrosslinked polyethylene foam. An example of a suitable high-densitycrosslinked polyethylene foam is Qycell #T-30, available from ArlonEngineered Coated Products.

The elastically deformable layer 12 may be sized, for example, to avoidundesirably interfering with the patient's tongue when placed into apatient's mouth on a bite fork. Those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the elastically deformable layer 12 may have a varietyof sizes suitable for use in the desired application. For example, theelastically deformable layer 12 may have a variety of thicknesses (t),including, for example, in the range of from about 4 mm to about 13 mmand, more particularly, in the range of from about 6 mm to about 7 mm.By way of further example, the elastically deformable layer 12 may havea variety of different widths (w1), including, for example, in the rangeof from about 3 mm to about 65 mm. Smaller widths of the elasticallydeformable layer 12 may be particularly suited for embodiments wheremultiple bite fork stabilizers may be used in accordance with presentinvention. By way of further example, the first leg 18 and the secondleg 20 of the elastically deformable layer 12 may have widths (w2) inthe range of from about 10 mm to about 30 mm. Additional embodiments mayhave a width (w2) of the first leg 18 and the second leg 20 in the rangeof from about 21 mm to about 27 mm and, alternatively, of about 15 toabout 22 mm.

Embodiments of the elastically deformable layer bite fork stabilizer 10further may include an adhesive layer 14. In general, the adhesive layer14 should have sufficient adhesion to adhere the bite fork stabilizer 10to the bite fork in a desired position when used in the patient's mouth.However, the removable protective layer 16 should be readily removablefrom the bite fork stabilizer 10 when ready for use, for example, bylifting the protective layer 16 away from the bite fork stabilizer 10.In other words, the adhesive layer 14 should not prevent removing of theremovable protective layer 16 prior to use. In certain embodiments, whenthe bite fork stabilizer 10 is formed, a surface of the elasticallydeformable layer 12 may be coated with an adhesive to form the adhesivelayer 14. After application of the adhesive, the removable protectivelayer 16 may be placed over the adhesive layer 14, for example. When thebite fork stabilizer 10 is used, the removable protective layer 16 maybe removed, and the surface of the bite fork stabilizer 10 with theadhesive may be pressed against the bite fork. In one embodiment, asuitable adhesive is available in the form of rolls of Mylar® tape,precoated with an adhesive covered by a removable protective layer 16.

Embodiments of the elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer 10 alsomay include a removable protective layer 16. As described above, theremovable protective layer 16 may be removed by lifting it away from thebite fork stabilizer 10. Alternatively, for example, the protectivelayer 16 may be removed by lifting the bite fork stabilizer 10 away fromthe protective layer 16. In certain embodiments, the protective layer 16may be in the form of a sheet having two or more bite fork stabilizers10 arranged thereon.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, a bite fork 22 having a bite forkstabilizer 10 disposed thereon is illustrated in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a close-up viewillustrating the attachment of the bite fork stabilizer 10 to the bitefork 22 taken along circle 23. As illustrated, the bite fork 22 may bein the general shape of a row of teeth. For example, the bite fork maybe a U-shaped (or horseshoe-shaped) bite fork, as shown in FIGS. 8-9. Asillustrated, the bite fork 22 may, for example, include a base 24 havinga first arm 26 and a second arm 28 extending therefrom to give the bitefork 22 the U-shape. The bite fork 22 also may include a handle 30 tosupport the bite fork 22 during use. The bite fork 22 also may include atop surface 32 and a bottom surface 34. In the illustrated embodiment, abite fork stabilizer 10 is coupled (directly or indirectly) to thebottom surface 34 of the bite fork 22. In certain embodiments, theprotective layer 16 may be removed from the bite fork stabilizer 10, andthe surface of the stabilizer 10 with the adhesive layer 14 may bepressed against the bite fork 22 to adhere the bite fork stabilizer 10thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an alternate configuration of the bite fork 22is illustrated that may be used in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. As illustrated, the bite fork 22 may include a base24 having a first arm 26 and a second arm 28. The bite fork 22 furthermay include a handle 30 for supporting the bite fork 22. In theillustrated embodiment, the bite fork 22 further includes holes 36 thatextend from the top surface 32 through the bottom surface 34 of the bitefork 22. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, thebite fork stabilizer 10 may be coupled to the bottom surface 34 of thebite fork 22 illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 illustrates another configuration of a bite fork 22 that may besuitable for use in embodiments of the present invention. Asillustrated, the bite fork 22 may include a base 24 having a first arm26 and a second arm 28. The bite fork 22 further may include a handle 30for supporting the bite fork 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the base24 includes openings 38 that form teeth or protrusions 40 that extendfrom the base 24 between the first arm 26 and the second arm 28. Inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention, the bite forkstabilizer 10 may be coupled to the bottom surface 34 of the bite fork22 illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-15, the use of two or more bite forkstabilizers 10 is illustrated in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the presentinvention that includes two or more bite fork stabilizers 10 spacedaround the bottom surface 34 of the bite fork 22. FIG. 15 illustratesanother embodiment of the present invention that includes a first bitefork stabilizer 10 a and a second bite fork stabilizer 10 b on the bitefork 22. As illustrated, the adhesive layer 14 a of the first bite forkstabilizer 10 a may be coupled to bottom surface 34 of the bite fork 22.As further illustrated, the adhesive layer 14 b of the second bite forkstabilizer 10 b may be coupled to the elastically deformable layer 12 aof the first bite fork stabilizer 10 a.

Furthermore, the bite fork 22 may be used in combination with animpressionable material. For example, an impressionable material may bedisposed (directly or indirectly) on the top surface 32 of the bite fork22. In general, the impressionable material may be any of a variety ofmaterials suitable for taking impressions of a patient's teeth. By wayof example, an impressionable material may be used that is generally asolid at room or body temperature, is impressionable for use in themouth at about 120°-140° F., and may be melted at elevated temperatures(approx. 200° F.). Examples of suitable impressionable materials includemolding, modeling or denture compounds, zinc oxide eugenol paste,silicon, plastics, wax, self-cured or light-cured resin, combinationsthereof, and the like. Some of these materials may be initially soft atroom temperature and then may be cured to harden by application of heat,light, chemicals, etc. In general, the impressionable material mayinitially have a flat shape so that a clear impression of the patient'steeth may be taken when the patient bites down on the bite fork 22.

In certain embodiments, the impressionable material may be a wax (orother suitable impressionable material) that is hard at roomtemperature, but generally softens with increasing temperatures. By wayexample, the wax may be melted at an elevated temperature (e.g., approx.200° F.) and placed onto the bite fork 22. The material may then beallowed to cool to a temperature (e.g., approx. 120°-140° F.) where itis sufficiently soft to take an impression of a patient's teeth. Afterthe impression is taken, the wax may be allowed to cool to roomtemperature where it hardens with the desired impression therein. Thewax may be cooled, for example, by running water over the bite fork 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, a dental impression pad 42 is illustratedthat may be used to apply an impressionable material 44 to a bite fork22 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Asillustrated, the dental impression pad 42 may comprise a backing strip46, a mound or pad of impressionable material 44 on one side of thebacking strip 46, and an adhesive 48 on another side of the backingstrip. In certain embodiments, more than one dental impression pad 42may be coupled (directly or indirectly) to the top surface 32 of thebite fork 22. Prior to use, a removable protective layer (notillustrated) may be disposed over the adhesive 48. When the dentalimpression pad 42 is used, the protective layer may be removed, and thesurface of the impression pad 42 with the adhesive 48 may be pressedagainst the bite fork 22. In certain embodiments, glue or an adhesivemay not be required to adhere the impressionable material 44 to thebacking strip 46 as the impressionable material 44 generally shouldsecurely fasten to the backing strip 46 when the material is heated.However, in certain embodiments, a permanent adhesive may be used tocouple the impressionable material 44 to the backing strip 46, ifdesired. While the impression pad 42 is illustrated as generallyoval-shaped, other shapes may be used for the pad, including a U-shapedpattern, strips, circles, and/or squares.

Embodiments of the elastically deformable bite fork stabilizers 10 maybe used to relate a patient's maxillary teeth to a mechanical jawsimulator, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thefollowing is a non-limiting description of one example method for usingan elastically deformable bit fork stabilizer 10 in a dental procedure.It should be understood that, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention, a bite fork 22 having an impressionable material 44may be placed into a patient's mouth and imprinted with the patient'smaxillary teeth. In certain embodiments, the impressionable material 44may then be cooled to maintain its shape. The bite fork 22 may then bedried off so that a bite fork stabilizer 10 may be coupled thereto.Prior to coupling the bite fork 22 and bite fork stabilizer 10, theprotective layer 16 may be removed from the bite fork stabilizer 10. Theadhesive layer 14 of the bite fork stabilizer 10 may then be pressedonto the bottom surface 34 of the bite fork 22. It should be understoodthat, depending, for example, on the shape and size of the bite forkstabilizer 10, more than one bite fork stabilizer 10 may be coupled tothe bite fork 22. The bite fork 22 may then be returned to the patient'smouth, and the maxillary teeth may be fitted into the imprints that werepreviously made. The patient may then be instructed to bite down on thebite fork stabilizer 10 to hold the bite fork 22 against the upperteeth. If needed for better stabilization, the thickness of theelastically deformable layer 12 may then be modified, for example, tocompensate for a patient's particular situation. Modification of thethickness may allow, for example, the patient to help control themounting equipment (e.g., facebow, earbow, or hinge-axis mountingequipment), thereby allowing the operator to concentrate on properalignment of this equipment. By way of example, the thickness of theelastically deformable layer 12 may be cut to a smaller size. In otherembodiments, two or more elastically deformable bite fork stabilizers 10may be stacked to provide a larger elastically deformable layer 12. Theshape of the bite fork stabilizer 10 may also be modified, for example,by cutting off one or more portions of the stabilizer 10, tocompensative for a patient's particular situation. As illustrated byFIG. 19, one or more ends 49 of the bite fork stabilizer 10 may be cutoff in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. After therelationship has been recorded, the bite fork 22 may be removed from thepatient's mouth. The bite fork stabilizer 10 may then be removed fromthe bottom surface 34 of the bite fork 22 and disposed of at this time.

FIGS. 19-20 illustrate a method for use of an elastically deformablebite fork stabilizer 10, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. As illustrated in FIG. 19, a bite fork 22 incombination with appropriate mounting equipment may be used to recordthe maxillary-arch relationship in a patient's mount 50. In thisprocess, a bite fork stabilizer 10 may be used to stabilize the bitefork 22 in the patient's mouth 50. The bite fork 22 may be mounted inthe patient's mouth using, for example, a bite fork stem assembly 52 anda facebow/earbow 54. As illustrated, the handle 30 of the bite fork 22may be coupled to the bite fork stem assembly 54 which is in turncoupled to the facebow/earbow 54. While not illustrated, thefacebow/earbow 54 may be secured to the patient's head. After therelationship has been recorded, the bite fork 22 may be removed from thepatient's mouth 50, and the bite fork 22 may then be used to transferthe maxillary-arch relationship to a mechanical jaw simulator 56 (ordental articulator. FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a mechanical jawsimulator 56 (or dental articulator) to which the maxillary-archrelationship has been transferred. As illustrated, the bite fork 22 maybe coupled to the bite fork stem assembly 54, which is in turn coupledto the jaw simulator 56. The bite fork stem assembly 54 may hold thebite fork 22 against a maxilla model 58.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Whileapparatus and methods are described in terms of “comprising,”“containing,” “having,” or “including” various components or steps, theapparatus and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of”the various components and steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for use in recording amaxillary-arch relationship of a patient's teeth comprising; a) a bitefork, the bite fork including a generally u-shaped planar member havinga upper surface and a lower surface; and a first arm extending from asecond arm thereby forming the U-shaped planar member; b) animpressionable material coupled to the top surface of the bite fork; c)a removably attachable bite fork stabilizer comprising a u-shaped memberhaving a first leg and a second leg extending from the first leg tothereby form the u-shaped member; the u-shaped member formed of anelastically deformable material and adherently secured to the bite fork,whereby the bite fork stabilizer is positioned to fit directly above allthe lower teeth of a patient when the apparatus is inserted into thepatient's mouth; and d) an adhesive layer disposed between the bite forkand the bite fork stabilizer.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a handle extending from the bite fork
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein a dental impression pad is coupled to a the top surfaceof the bite fork, wherein the dental impression pad comprises a backingstrip, the impressionable material on one side of the backing strip, andan adhesive in another side of the backing strip.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the elastically deformable foam layer materialcomprises a polyethylene foam.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theelastically deformable foam layer material comprises an open cell foam.6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a second bite fork stabilizer thatis elastically deformable is coupled to the bite fork stabilizer coupledto the bottom surfaces of the bite fork.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein two or more additional bite fork stabilizer are spaced on thebottom surface of the bite fork.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe first leg and the second leg each has a width in the range of about10 mm to about 30 mm.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising afacebow or earbow attached to the bite fork.
 10. The apparatus of claim1 wherein the bite fork is in the form of a plate in the general shapeof a row of teeth.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the uppersurface of the bite fork lies in a single plan.
 12. A method of usingthe apparatus of claim 1 to determine the maxillary arch relationship ofa dental patient comprising; a) positioning the bite fork within thepatient's mouth, b) making an impression of one or more maxillary teethof the patient; d) removing the bite fork from the patient's mouth andsecuring the bite fork stabilizer to an underside portion of the bitefork; e) repositioning the bite fork stabilizer in the patient's mouth;and f) instructing the patient to bite down on the bite fork whereby thebite fork is stabilized within the patient's mouth.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 further including establishing the maxillary arch relationshipand transferring the maxillary arch relationship to a mechanical jawsimulator or to a dental articulator.